SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS AND BENEFITS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY AFTER A MISCARRIAGE

Despite the high incidence of miscarriage, its impact has been neglect ed in the psychotherapeutic literature. One-dimensional psychogenic ap proaches must be reconsidered in the light of recent research. Based o n psychotherapeutic experiences and selected empirical data, acute and chronic conflicts are described. An ambivalent attitude toward pregna ncy and the unborn child, reactivation of previous unresolved losses a nd a latent negative self-image are discussed as possible risk factors for depressive and adjustment disorders, along with conflictual mater nal identifications, Specifically, this object loss relates not so muc h to a concrete and separate object as to a phantasized relationship a nd associated hope, self-esteem and social roles. Considering these pa rticular characteristics, even short-term psychotherapy may well prove beneficial not only for coping with the loss, but also for reorganizi ng object relationships.